NEW DELHI, Oct 29: The Union Home Minister Amit Shah has expressed concern over the disproportionate rise in number of mazaars (Muslim shrines) in Bet Dwarka, an island off the coast of major Hindu pilgrim centre of Dwarka in Gujarat.
Mr Shah referred to the issue at the concluding session of the two-day “chintan shivir” of the state home ministers and the director generals of police held at Faridabad in Haryana to highlight the challenges in coastal security facing the country.
Mr. Shah reportedly informed the delegates that the tiny island had more shrines and tombs than its population. The Gujarat administration had recently carried out a demolition drive against several illegal structures in Bet Dwarka.
Though the majority of the local population is Muslims, the small island is frequented by the Hindus as Bet Dwarka was believed to be the main centre of Dwarka kingdom under Lord Krishna. The Island is famous for the Dwarkadhish Mukhya Mandir that is said to have been the residence of Lord Krishna when he ruled Dwarka.
At a public meeting in Gujarat’s Jamnagar on October 11, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had praised Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel for conducting the demolition drive along Gujarat’s coastline and restoring the pride of Bet Dwarka. Gujarat goes to polls in December this year.
The State Home Ministers conference to discuss internal security subjects was held for the first time after the BJP came to power in 2014. The Congress led United Progressive Alliance government regularly held Chief Ministers internal security conclave.
At the session, the Ministry of Home Affairs apprised the delegates that also included State Director General of Police and State Home Secretaries about the need for digitisation of birth and death registration records and the problems posed by foreigners staying illegally in India.
States made a presentation on cyber issues, enhancing conviction rate, drug trafficking and national security and border management issues. Mr. Shah said at the conference that internal security is the shared responsibility of Centre and States and States should annually review goals and set in place a plan for the year 2047. He said around 9,200 militants have surrendered in Northeast in the past eight years and development was taking place in the region and areas under Armed Forces (Special) Powers Act (AFSPA) had been reduced.
The Minister had earlier said States should have a uniform law and order policy as certain crimes such as cross-border terrorism and cybercrimes transcend regional and international boundaries.
(Manas Dasgupta)
